Buds showing..But.. We have a Problem

[chidlove]

The lovely buds are doing OK, but the whole thing is Wonkers! Growing totally sideways.
Does anyone know how I could get it growing up? There is no room for a support under the spike,so I'm at a loss as what to do
I would really appreciate the help

[WhiteRabbit]

Some Cyms have pendant spikes ... perhaps this is one ...

If not, it will be this year

[Cym Ladye]

chidlove,

Frankly, I would leave this small spike alone and just enjoy the flowers. However, if you want to stake it, here are some tips:

1) There appears to be adequate space between the bulbs and the edge of the pot for a bamboo stake. (McLellans used to jab the stake in anywhere they wanted, including in the middle of a green bulb if necessary!)

2) Place the stake at a slight angle and gently attach the spike, with a garden tie in a figure 8 pattern, to the stake with just a little tension. Place the tie about 1/3 of the way up the spike.

3) Each couple of days, gently work the tie further up the spike and it will slowly straighten. You can also attach a second tie if needed. This can also be done with a rubber band as it too keeps a slight tension on the spike. Just do not straighten from the top!

This assumes the plant is a standard and not a pendent, meaning a smaller plant with smaller flowers and a natural tendency for the spikes to cascade. In that case, just let it be. However, when a strong spike goes straight out at an almost horizontal manner, it usually is a standard cym with the preferred upright habit.

Learning how to properly stake a cym spike is not easy and takes years of practice to learn just how far and when to adjust the ties. Much is simply in the feel of the tension in the spike when you handle it. Never push it too far too fast!

Cym Ladye

BTW, when it is done blooming, please repot your poor baby!

[chidlove]

Originally Posted by WhiteRabbit

Some Cyms have pendant spikes ... perhaps this is one ...

If not, it will be this year

No such luck....its a standard cym

Thanks so much for the advice, guess I'd better start the training,,,,..Very Gently! The whole thing was due for a repotting, just didn't want to disturb the new growths and spike .

[Cym Ladye]

Originally Posted by chidlove

No such luck....its a standard cym

Thanks so much for the advice, guess I'd better start the training,,,,..Very Gently! The whole thing was due for a repotting, just didn't want to disturb the new growths and spike .

Absolu0tely correct on that for Cyms. Wait until it is finished blooming and the weather warms up.'

CL

[Oscarman]

Never seen a standard cymbidium flower like that. Is the inflorescence a bit stunted compared to previous years?

I would leave it alone rather than risk snapping it off. Can you place it on a raised stand and enjoy the cascading flowers!

[Bluey]

I had the same problem with a reliable flowering plant 2 years ago. I let the spike grow, but eventually, it aborted. I wondered if it was too crowded against the side of the pot, so I repotted it. This year I had nothing.

[chidlove]

Originally Posted by Oscarman

Never seen a standard cymbidium flower like that. Is the inflorescence a bit stunted compared to previous years?

I would leave it alone rather than risk snapping it off. Can you place it on a raised stand and enjoy the cascading flowers!

Thinking it over, I believe I will just leave it be I am dubious about "training" the spike,... all I see is a snapped wreck As for previous years, this is the first spike for me { bought it three years ago, it had'nt flowered for me }So I really don't know if it is stunted

Again, time will tell, and I can just hope to see a flower or two, and smell the Lovely fragrance again

[bellini girl]

I would leave well enough alone. I had a similiar experience some years ago. Insisted on staking it ...too late.. and ended up breaking the spike. Result ? had to put the broken spike in water and the flowers did not last nearly as long , had I not tampered with it. Just my 2cents worth

[james mickelso]

Cym is correct. It can be trained to become upright but care must be taken. I've broken too many of themn and being the clummsy oaf with 10 left fingers, I would opt to just put it on a raised stand or inverted flower pot and enjoy it. Remember that most cymbidiums are two year flowering plants. The new growth matures in the first year and blooms in the second. I have a very large standard cymbidium that is also throwing out three big spikes horizontally. I just hope the gardener doesn't break off any of them. I don't have anywhere to put it out of the way because it is so large. This weekend I may put a post in the ground and attach the plant to it.